Filling the “Vacuum”: ATCP and Mississippi Insurance Dept. Chart a New Path for Disaster Response
“We have to come in as an industry and we have to be morally right. We have to be ethically right. We have to have all of our ducks in a row… And I think that’s one of the big goals with ATCP right now.”
A significant shift in disaster policy began on November 24, 2025, during a meeting between the Association of Tree Care Professionals (ATCP) and the Mississippi Insurance Department (MID). The discussion marked a departure from the traditional industry dynamic. Instead of waiting for the next hurricane to spark disputes, ATCP leadership engaged directly with state regulators with the aim to solve problems before they even begin.
Moving from Reactive to Active
Executive Director Jet Toney opened the dialogue by identifying a critical flaw in the current system. He noted that policy is often created “retroactively” in the chaotic aftermath of storms. The ATCP aims to replace this reactive scramble with proactive cooperation, building bridges with officials like Attorneys General and Commissioners of Insurance well in advance.
The Mississippi officials, including Deputy Commissioner David Brown, welcomed this approach. They acknowledged that their office often gets involved only after the damage is done, leaving them to mediate “nightmares” between consumers and insurers without clear guidelines.
Defining the True Cost of Safety
The meeting tackled the “disconnect” between insurance adjusters and the reality of hazardous tree removal. ATCP Vice President Stephan LeBlanc and Board Member Mark Goodpasture explained that safe removal requires more than a chainsaw and a rope. LeBlanc highlighted that crews often arrive with over a million dollars in equipment to safely lift trees off structures.
Goodpasture provided a stark illustration of the danger involved. He compared a large oak tree on a roof to a 60,000-pound semi-truck hanging over a sleeping family. This context is vital for regulators to understand why specialized cranes and certified operators are essential for preventing further loss and injury. As LeBlanc noted, “death doesn’t have a price tag”.
Regulators Ask for a Standard
The MID representatives were candid about their challenges. They admitted to lacking reference materials when handling disputes over tree removal costs. When consumers call with complaints, regulators currently have to rely on informal calls to local contacts rather than established data.
They expressed a strong desire for a “schedule” or reference material that defines what is fair and reasonable. This would allow them to better protect consumers from bad actors while ensuring legitimate companies get paid for their work.
ATCP Delivers the Solution
ATCP leadership seized the opportunity to become the state’s go-to resource. They offered to provide the MID with data on lift plans, certifications, and sanitized invoices that explain the logic behind line-item charges. President Joe Whitledge emphasized that the association teaches its members to be fair and ethical, stating that “if you want to be treated fair, you got to start out by being fair”.
By supplying this data, ATCP is helping the state distinguish between necessary emergency mitigation and actual price gouging. The meeting concluded with the MID accepting the offer for more information, signaling a new era of collaboration that benefits tree care professionals, insurers, and homeowners alike.
Are You Part of the Movement?
Today’s meeting is a victory for every member who believes in doing things the right way. Your membership fuels this advocacy. We are proving that our industry can lead with ethics and professionalism.
Are you just in the tree care industry, or are you helping shape its future?
